By finishing second in Group D, Chelsea now avoid a potential clash with Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain, or Real Madrid — should the Spanish giants win Group H.
However, Maresca isn’t taking anything for granted, praising Benfica as “a top club with a top manager and top players,” and stressing the need for Chelsea to be at their absolute best in Saturday’s “tough” fixture.
The West London side are confident about progressing to the quarter-finals, especially given their impressive record against Portuguese teams — 11 wins from their last 15 competitive meetings (D1 L3), scoring 23 goals in the process.
Team News and Possible Lineups
Benfica will again be without long-term absentees Alexander Bah and Manu Silva. Midfielder Florentino Luis is also sidelined, having missed the last two matches due to a shoulder injury picked up on matchday one.
On a positive note, Andrea Belotti is available after serving a suspension and could push for a starting role ahead of top scorer Vangelis Pavlidis, who notched his 30th goal of the season against Auckland.
Veteran winger Ángel Di María continues to defy age at 37, scoring three goals — all from the penalty spot — in as many games.
He is expected to partner Schjelderup up front. Meanwhile, Lage is weighing up whether to start Orkun Kokcu or stick with Renato Sanches alongside Leandro Barreiro in midfield.
For Chelsea, Wesley Fofana has joined the squad in the U.S. but is still not match-fit due to a long-term thigh injury.
Nicolas Jackson remains suspended, serving the second of a two-match ban, meaning Delap is likely to lead the line once again.
Cole Palmer and Pedro Neto are both in contention to return to the starting XI, likely replacing Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Christopher Nkunku in attack.
Enzo Fernandez is expected to start against his former club in midfield, alongside Moises Caicedo. In defense, Reece James, Levi Colwill, and Marc Cucurella are all in line to start alongside Tosin, shielding goalkeeper Robert Sanchez.
Predicted Lineups:
Benfica:
Trubin; Aursnes, Silva, Otamendi, Carreras; Barreiro, Sanches; Di Maria, Prestianni, Schjelderup; Pavlidis
Chelsea:
Sanchez; James, Tosin, Colwill, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Neto, Palmer, Madueke; Delap